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Ethernet Cable: Color Code Standards: Basic Theory

The document provides information on color coding standards for Ethernet cables. It explains the T-568A and T-568B wiring standards for straight-through and crossover cables. Straight-through cables have identical ends and are used for patch cords, while crossover cables have different ends on each side and are used to directly connect two Ethernet devices. The document also provides instructions for building Ethernet cables according to these standards.

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353 views3 pages

Ethernet Cable: Color Code Standards: Basic Theory

The document provides information on color coding standards for Ethernet cables. It explains the T-568A and T-568B wiring standards for straight-through and crossover cables. Straight-through cables have identical ends and are used for patch cords, while crossover cables have different ends on each side and are used to directly connect two Ethernet devices. The document also provides instructions for building Ethernet cables according to these standards.

Uploaded by

Placid Ity
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ethernet Cable: Color Code Standards

The information listed here is to assist Network Administrators in the color coding of Ethernet cables. Please be aware
that modifying Ethernet cables improperly may cause loss of network connectivity. Use this information at your own
risk, and ensure all connectors and cables are modified in accordance with TIA standards.

Basic Theory:

By looking at a T-568A UTP Ethernet straight-thru cable and an Ethernet crossover cable with a T-568B end, we see
that the TX (transmitter) pins are connected to the corresponding RX (receiver) pins, plus to plus and minus to minus.
You can also see that both the blue and brown wire pairs on pins 4, 5, 7, and 8 are not used in either standard. What
you may not realize is that, these same pins 4, 5, 7, and 8 are not used or required in 100BASE-TX as well. So why
bother using these wires, well for one thing its simply easier to make a connection with all the wires grouped
together. Otherwise you'll be spending time trying to fit those tiny little wires into each of the corresponding holes in
the RJ-45 connector.

T-568A Straight-Through Ethernet Cable

The T-568A standard is supposed to be used in new network installations. Most off-the-shelf Ethernet cables are still
of the T-568B standard; however, it makes absolutely no functional difference in which you choose.
T-568B Straight-Through Ethernet Cable

Both the T-568A and the T-568B standard Straight-Through cables are used most often as patch cords for your
Ethernet connections. If you require a cable to connect two Ethernet devices directly together without a hub or when
you connect two hubs together, you will need to use a Crossover cable instead.

RJ-45 Crossover Ethernet Cable

A good way of remembering how to wire a Crossover Ethernet cable is to wire one end using the T-568A standard and
the other end using the T-568B standard. Another way of remembering the color coding is to simply switch the Green
set of wires in place with the Orange set of wires. Specifically, switch the solid Green (G) with the solid Orange, and
switch the green/white with the orange/white.

How to Build an Ethernet Cable Instructions:

1. Pull the cable off the reel to the desired length and cut using wire cutters or scissors. If you are pulling
cables through holes, it's easier to attach the RJ-45 plugs after the cable is pulled. The total length of wire
segments between a PC and a switch or between two PC's cannot exceed 100 Meters (328 feet) for 100BASE-
TX and 300 Meters for 10BASE-T.
2. Start on one end and strip the cable jacket off (about 1") using a wire stripper or a knife. Be extra careful
not to nick the wires, otherwise you will need to start over.
3. Spread, untwist the pairs, and arrange the wires in the order of the desired cable end. Flatten the end
between your thumb and forefinger. Trim the ends of the wires so they are even with one another, leaving
only 1/2" in wire length. If it is longer than 1/2" it will be out-of-spec and susceptible to crosstalk. Flatten and
insure there are no spaces between wires.
4. Hold the RJ-45 plug with the clip facing down or away from you. Push the wires firmly into the plug. Inspect
each wire is flat even at the front of the plug. Check the order of the wires. Double check again. Check that
the jacket is fitted right against the stop of the plug. Carefully hold the wire and firmly crimp the RJ-45 with
the crimp tool.
5. Check the color orientation, check that the crimped connection is not about to come apart, and check to see if
the wires are flat against the front of the plug. If even one of these are incorrect, you will have to start over.
Test the Ethernet cable.

Ethernet Cable Tips:

 A straight-thru cable has identical ends.


 A crossover cable has different ends.
 A straight-thru is used as a patch cord in Ethernet connections.
 A crossover is used to connect two Ethernet devices without a hub or for connecting two hubs.
 A crossover has one end with the Orange set of wires switched with the Green set.
 Odd numbered pins are always striped, even numbered pins are always solid colored.
 Looking at the RJ-45 with the clip facing away from you, Brown is always on the right, and pin 1 is on the left.
 No more than 1/2" of the Ethernet cable should be untwisted otherwise it will be susceptible to
crosstalk.
 Do not deform, do not bend, do not stretch, do not staple, do not run parallel with power cables, and do not
run Ethernet cables near noise inducing components.

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